NIRSA Recreation Center: Discover the Why of Wellness

Conferences are a great way to learn about new trends in any profession, and those of us who have worked in college recreation and wellness for a number of years know that the NIRSA Conference is no exception – it is the best learning event a college recreation and wellness professional can attend each year. But even at schools with generous allocations for professional development, it is not possible for every team member to attend every conference.

That’s why the Wellness Insights Working Group is taking some time to follow up with some of our favorite wellness presenters who were at NIRSA 2024. We asked them to share their inspiration for their presentations, how it has shaped their practices on their own campuses, and how they hope their insights will resonate at other institutions.

Below you will find a brief description of a session from the most recent NIRSA Conference in Phoenix, along with their answers to our questions.

Decolonizing the dimensions of well-being

Presented by Condor, Manager of the Wellness Center at California State University, Northridge and Victoria R. Lopez HerreraSenior Associate Director at the University of Texas at San Antonio, this session was designed to help attendees break free from the constraints of seeking “perfect balance” and instead focus on the interconnectivity of self and the natural world. Participants were invited to measure the dimensions of well-being with excess and lack of energy through the lens of circular connection and energy.

We caught up with Condor and Victoria to see what inspired them to present at NIRSA 2024, how they are applying their ideas on their respective campuses, and how they see attendees leveraging their ideas on other campuses across North America (and beyond).

Wellness Information Task Force: What influenced your presentation at NIRSA 2024?

Condor and Lopez-Herrera: Our presentation emerged as a critical response to the marginalization of Indigenous knowledge in higher education across North America. Our goal was to challenge the colonial mindset that dictates what knowledge is valued. Our approach was to explore the barriers to accepting diverse models of well-being and to promote “cultural appreciation” through practices that emphasize respect, understanding, and reciprocity.

We adapted a Pan-Indigenous Medicine Wheel and Wellness Wheel model used at the Oasis Wellness Center at California State University, Northridge, to illustrate interconnected wellness, highlighting how an imbalance in one dimension impacts others. By integrating Indigenous practices into university programs, we aimed to inspire institutions to embrace inclusive wellness practices beyond superficial gestures.

At its core, the presentation critiqued colonial biases and encouraged a more inclusive approach to wellbeing in academia, urging attendees to reconsider how experience and wellbeing are defined and practiced in their institutions.

How have the ideas you shared in your presentation contributed to shared practices at your institution?

Condor: CSUN’s Oasis Wellness Center, an integral part of the University Student Union (USU), has embarked on adapting a four-dimensional model for its wellness programs. While the Health Center and Counseling Services maintain SAMHSA’s Wellness Wheel model, USU’s Oasis Wellness Center has begun a collaboration with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. Together, they are developing policies and protocols for land acknowledgement, with the goal of integrating Indigenous perspectives into campus practices.

The commitment extends to the entire CSUN Undergraduate Student Union, which oversees several departments including the Student Recreation Center and the Oasis Wellness Center. Plans are underway to raise the Fernandeño Tataviam tribal flag at the Undergraduate Student Union, symbolizing continued collaboration and recognition.

In addition, the Oasis Wellness Center has introduced classes on shamanic journeys, meditation and Medicine Wheel presentations, enriching the campus offering with diverse cultural practices.

In summary, the presentation spurred CSUN’s proactive efforts to incorporate cultural awareness and practices into its wellness initiatives, fostering an inclusive environment that respects and integrates Indigenous perspectives on campus.

How do you think attendees could apply the concepts you presented at NIRSA 2024 to their own campuses?

Condor and Lopez-Herrera: The main goal of our presentation at the conference was to inspire attendees to promote inclusion and diversity in the wellness spaces of their own institutions. Our goal was to encourage a shift towards creating environments that embrace diverse forms of wellness, such as meditation spaces, sleeping areas, and healing sound practices.

Our aim was to prompt colleagues to reflect critically on the services and programmes they currently offer, urging them to move towards ‘cultural appreciation’ rather than ‘cultural appropriation’. This includes deepening their understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of practices such as yoga and meditation, ensuring that they are approached with respect and authenticity.

Additionally, we emphasize the importance of outdoor experiences that connect people to the land and its people. This involves not only acknowledging the history and importance of the land, but also interacting with native guides and honoring sacred spaces.

In essence, our goal was for conference attendees to go beyond merely acknowledging land during campus programs and actively integrate these principles into their institutional frameworks, thereby fostering a more inclusive and culturally respectful approach to well-being in higher education settings.

For more information on decolonizing dimensions of wellbeing, please contact Victoria at NIRSA Connect.